Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-07 Reading Housing Authority Minutes - Executive SessionREADING HOUSING AUTHORITY Minutes of the Executive Session Meeting of October 7. 1997 A joint session with the Board of Selectmen and the Reading Housing Authority was held a Tuesday, October 7, 1997 at 7:00 P.M. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Hall, 16 Lo Street in the Town of Reading, Massachusetts. The Chairman, Mr. Sweet, called the Executi Session Meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. Those members present and forming a quorum were: Kelley, and Ms. Galvin. Ms. Plansky was also in attendance. By the following roll call vote, the Board voted to go into Executive Session and not to reconvene in open session: Ms. Galvin - Aye Mr. Kelley - Aye Mr. Sweet - Aye The Chair, Camille Anthony, of the Board of Selectmen welcomed the Authority Board and introductions of Ms. Hoyt; Mr. Hines, Mr. McDonald and the Town Manager, Mr. Hechenbleikner, were made to the Authority representatives present. The Chair, Mr. Sweet, reported on the meeting that was held in August 1997 with George Hi Peter Hechenbleikner, Don Allen and Peg Plansky regarding the issue of relocating two diffe structures on to the available Town -owned lot at Pleasant/Wilson Streets. After evaluating th structures, relocation and rehab costs, all parties had agreed that new construction might be t and less costly. One of the buildings was too costly to move and rehab; the other building w private ownership and no interest was expressed by the current owner to work with the Authority. The outcome of that i eeting was to have the Authority come to a Board of Selectmen's meeting to propose and formulate a process for transfer of the property to the Authority from the Selectmen and to arrange the proper neighborhood informational meeting apprise the area residents of the proposal. Mr. Sweet outlined the concept that the Authority was visualizing if the transfer was given: - three 2BR units - Townhouse style - Similar to Waverly Oaks development - Conceptualized drawing was shown - PILOT would be paid - other possible unit configurations - strongly supported by the local bank with an available financing package - the Authority's strong record of excellent property management and neighborhood satisfaction with developments that the Authority operated and managed. - the financing would be private and the Authority would look at local preferences,' employee preference and other benefits that could be given in the interest of the to and its residents. Mr. in to Page 2 Exec. Session Meeting 10/7/97 Mr. Hines reviewed the prior meeting and said that he agreed in general principles with the concept of transferring care, custody and control of the lot to the Reading Housing Authority contingent upon the outcome of the neighborhood meeting. He thought that if there were problems that had not been envisioned by either Board, then that could have an impact on the transfer. Mr. Hechenbleikner informed the Boards that there had been some review of the property when it was under consideration by the Town during the police station relocation study and that Conservation Commission had evaluated the wetland impacts. Mr. Hechenbleikner said that this information could be available for the informational meeting with the neighbors and interested citizens. He stated that this land has become the leaf /compost depository for the neighborhood and that the Town has had to clean up the area. Ms. Hoyt stated that she was strongly in support of this transfer but would like to have the neighbors' concerns heard. Mr. McDonald asked what public process had to take place; what had happened in the past; what was necessary; what was prudent. He said that he supported the transfer in concept but wanted to take the necessary steps for public process. Mr. Hechenbleikner said that the Selectmen had the right to transfer ownership but he felt that public input should be sought. The prior transfer of the land at Waverly Oaks from the Selectmen to the Housing Authority was brought before Town Meeting but that process was not necessary. Ms. Anthony had some concerns about density and the drawings and delineations were confusing to her. The Authority explained the density and building configuration. Ms. Anthony felt more comfortable and asked that a sense of the Board of Selectmen in support of this transfer taking into account the neighborhood input which will be sought in an informational meeting and the following poll was taken: Mr. Hines - supports transfer Ms. Hoyt - supports transfer Mr. McDonald - supports transfer Ms. Anthony - supports transfer A consensus to move forward was made and an informational meeting will be scheduled for early December 1997. The concept of the transfer will be reported by Mr. Hines in his liaison report so that the public has prior knowledge of the possibility of the transfer of this land to the Authority. Mr. Sweet asked what concerns could derail the project. Mr. Hines reiterated his support but felt